Bratislava, 26 February 1997 (RFE/RL) - Lithuanian and Slovak officials are calling a business delegation visit to Vilnius a success. A group of 14 businessmen, representing 13 companies, visited Belarus and Lithuania over the last week. The head of the trade mission, Svetlana Mikusova, today told RFE/RL that Slovak companies are optimistic about business dealings with Lithuania and Belarus.

In Lithuania, 102 companies turned out to meet the Slovak business delegation, but no contracts were signed. The Director of the Vilnius trade show the Slovak delegation visited, Irena Jasiukeviciute, said it was just an initial get-acquainted visit. But Jasiukeviciute said interest is very high, and Vilnius plans to host another Slovak delegation next year.